Time, Spatial, and Descriptive Features of Pedestrian Tracks on Set of Visualizations

Łukasz Wielebski,Łukasz Halik,Beata Medyńska-Gulij,Frank Dickmann

doi:10.3390/ijgi9060348

Łukasz Wielebski, Łukasz Halik + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi9060348

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Abstract

The aim of the paper is to elaborate on and evaluate a multiperspective cartographic visualization of the spatial behavior of pedestrians in urban space. The detailed objective is to indicate the level of usefulness of the proposed visualization methods for analyzing and interpreting the following features: track shape (trajectory geometry), topographical truth, track length, track visibility, walking time, motivation for getting to the finish point, walking speed, stops, spatial context (spatial surroundings, street names, and so on), and trajectory similarity. Each of the elaborated visualization presents spatial data from a different perspective and visually strengthens other aspects of the behavior of participants of the experiment. Recording the movement of participants by means of global positioning system (GPS) receivers was the first method used in the research, with the other one being a questionnaire that made it possible to determine what kind of motivation pedestrians had when selecting a track leading to the finish point. The results demonstrate different levels of usefulness of the six presented visualizations for reading selected features of the spatial behavior of pedestrians.

Highlights

The urban and communication systems are important determinants influencing spatial behavior
The main aim of our research is to elaborate on and evaluate a multiperspective cartographic visualization of the spatial behavior of pedestrians in urban space, taking into consideration individual attitudes towards multiple different tracks leading from the same starting point to the same finish point
Studies of the analysis of the movement of pedestrians are most frequently conducted with the use of global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs), such as global positioning system (GPS) [18]

Summary

Introduction

The urban and communication systems are important determinants influencing spatial behavior. The way pedestrians perceive space is significantly connected with the so-called ‘cognitive map’, a concept of the track that everybody creates in their mind on the basis of previous experiences [2]. These experiences are linked to movement in space, but they result from interpreting space on the basis of maps, a skill developed throughout the entire life [3]. To process and visualize behavior patterns, most of the studies make use of spatial analysis such like kernel density [6,7,8], heat maps [9,10], or density maps [11,12]. The visualization and analysis of movement is used in many different disciplines like geography, sociology, informatics, ecology [13], and many others

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